Definition
怕人 is a verb-object (离合词) with two distinct uses. As a verb phrase it means 'to be afraid of people' or 'shy' — you can use it directly after the subject (她很怕人). As an adjective it means 'frightening' or 'terrifying', describing something that gives a scary impression (那个地方真怕人). Like other ё离词, 怕 can separate from 人 when aspect markers or complements are inserted, e.g., 怕过人 ('have been afraid of people').
v.o.
(verb-object) to be afraid of peopleshy
adjective
frighteningterrifying
Examples
- ，怕人。Tā xìnggé nèixiàng, hěn pà rén.She is introverted and very shy around people.
- 。Tā cónglái méi pà guo rén.He has never been afraid of people.
- ，怕人。Nà ge shāndòng li hēiqīqī de, zhēn pà rén.That cave is pitch black, really frightening.
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